Post by glactus on Jul 17, 2011 2:06:38 GMT
The Circinus galaxy
The Circinus Galaxy (ESO 97-G13) is a Seyfert Galaxy in the Circinus constellation. It is only 4 degrees below the Galacti plane, and 13 million light-years away. The galaxy is undergoing tumultuous changes, as rings of gas are being ejected from the galaxy. The outermost ring is 700 light-years from the center of the galaxy and the inner ring is 130 light-years out. Apparent magnitude is 12.1
The Curcinus constellation
The Circinus galaxy can be seen using a small telescope, however it was not noticed until 25 years ago because it was obscured by material from our own galaxy. The Circinus Galaxy is a Type II Seyfert galaxy and closest known active galaxy to the Milky Way.
The Chandra xray image
The elongated central disk (length about 5 arcmin) indicates a bar, and the central `hole' is caused by HI absorption against the bright central region of Circinus. The nuclear activity is caused by star formation.
Looking at the Circinus galaxy
Credits: These are NASA/JPL images
Text by wikipedia
Telescope in avatar: Meade 16" LX 200
Astronomer in avatar: Glactus